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Dhanakpur village farmer Thakur Jaswant Singh (Alok Nath) and Dhanraj Singh (Dalip Tahil) are brothers. They have a younger sister Madhumati, who was used, made pregnant and ditched by Ratan Singh (played by Arjun), the son of Thakur Raghuveer Singh from a big Rajput family. The family refuses Jaswant Singh's request to get his sister married to Ratan. Ratan's family refuses to accept that he is guilty, as they are interested in their status.

Insulted, Jaswant leaves the village. Unable to tolerate the events, Madhumati commits suicide. Frustrated, Dhanraj kills Ratan at his wedding and gets imprisoned. The two families are now bitter enemies. Jaswant moves to Delhi, develops his business, and reaches good status; he also raises Dhanraj's kids. Years later, Dhanraj gets released from the prison. Upon release, Dhanraj receives a letter from his son, Raj (Aamir Khan), an ardent music lover, who completes his education in Rajput College. An emotional Dhanraj sneaks into Raj's college farewell party and is glad to see his son fulfill his dreams.

In a twist of fate, Raj and his buddy go to Dhanakpur to clear his family's land deal. While returning home, Raj falls for Rashmi (Juhi Chawla), a relative of Raghuveer Singh. Raj sneaks into Rashmi's birthday bash. The two meet again at a holiday spot. They become lost in the forest and fall in love while finding a way out. Raj finds out about Rashmi's family but is unable to tell her the truth. When Randhir Singh, Rashmi's father, finds out about the affair, he immediately arranges Rashmi's wedding. The lovers take on their families and elope, dreaming of an idyllic life together.

Furious, Randhir hires a contract killer to kill Raj. The lovers have a brief interval of happiness. They stay in a deserted fort, happy in their own paradise. When Randhir learns their whereabouts, he goes there to bring Rashmi home and ensure that Raj is killed. Randhir's mother does not wish for this so she goes to Dhanraj and tells him to save them. Raj leaves the fort to bring some wood for their house. While Raj is away, Randhir meets with Rashmi and tells her to come home; he has "accepted their love". Rashmi is overjoyed at her father's words, not knowing the truth. In the forest, Raj is chased by the henchmen.

Dhanraj reaches the fort and repeatedly asks about his son's whereabouts. They get in a fight and a gunshot is heard. Rashmi leaves the scene to make sure that Raj is okay. He is about to be shot but, on seeing Rashmi, the henchman shoots her instead. She is shot twice and rolls down the hill. Raj overpowers the henchman and reaches Rashmi's side, crying. They promise never to leave each other. On saying this, Rashmi breathes her last in Raj's arms. A grief-stricken Raj is devastated by Rashmi's death, and says that nothing can separate them. He commits suicide with a dagger given to him by Rashmi and dies with his head on her chest.

The final scene is both families running toward them; the lovers are together, never to be separated, as the sun sets behind them.

The film marked the directorial debut of Mansoor Khan, son of Nasir Hussain and his cousin Aamir Khan. The film was a tale of unrequited love and parental opposition based on the Shakespearean tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, with Khan portraying Raj, a "clean-cut, wholesome boy-next-door".[4]

Mansoor recalled that his father Nasir wanted to launch Aamir as a leading actor and got convinced that Mansoor would direct the film after watching his telefilm.[5][6] The film was initially titled Nafrat Ke Waaris before returning to original title.[7]

Pancham (R.D. Burman) was to compose the soundtrack, but director Mansoor Khan wanted a young music director. That's how Anand-Milind, who had worked with him earlier on this tele-film, secured this project.[5] Mansoor selected Udit to sing all songs because he felt that his voice would suit Aamir.[5] The soundtrack contains five songs composed by duo Anand-Milind and songs written by veteran Majrooh Sultanpuri. All the tracks were sung by Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik. Majroosh saab (as he is fondly known) wrote the song "Papa kehte hai" at the age of 70. Anand-Milind won the Filmfare Best Music Director Award while Udit Narayan won best male playback singer for "Papa kehte hain". The music for "Akele Hain To Kya Gum Hai" is copied from the instrumental number "Return to the Alamo" by the band The Shadows.[9]

The hit "Papa Kehte Hain"

was used in Hum Saath Saath Hain in a paraody. It was rendered by the original singer Udit Narayan and re-written by Ravinder Rawal.

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak proved to be a major commercial success, catapulting both Khan and Chawla to stardom.[14] It received seven Filmfare Awards including a Best Male Debut trophy for Khan.[15] The film has since attained cult status,[16] with the entertainment portal Bollywood Hungama crediting it as a "path-breaking and trend setting film" for Indian cinema.[17]